Vancouver Canucks Prospects Showdown highlights Pettersson, Gaudette

6. Olli Juolevi at 190 pounds is better than ever before

Weight has become a hot topic of discussion amongst Canucks prospects. Whether it be Jake Virtanen being too heavy to be effective or Elias Pettersson being too featherweight to survive the NHL, weight has been an arguing point for Canucks fans.

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So when Olli Juolevi apparently showed up and tipped the scales north of 190 pounds, I was split on whether I should cheer for the added strength and endurance or be weary for the loss of mobility and conditioning.

Well, Thursday’s performance from the Canucks’ top prospect defenseman showed that not only has he added power to his frame but also composure that comes with experience.

In particular, the shootout portion showed the creativity that flows in Juolevi’s mind as well as his deft hands when in tight spaces offensively.

Though I would love to see more urgency in Juolevi’s game when the puck is on his stick, his game is perfectly fine defensively. The added mass to his frame helped him to withstand the check from larger opposition forwards without hurting his mobility.

Sami Salo works with Olli Juolevi

As a guy who rarely makes flashy forays into the offensive end, Juolevi could benefit from working with longtime Canuck Sami Salo famous for his booming slap shot. Here is a feature video from the Canucks highlighting Salo’s work with Juolevi.